Stretching and drying frame for sensitized paper



(No Model.) r

- E. S. GROWELL.

STREIGHING AND DRYING FRAME FOR SENSITIZED PAPER.

. Patented May 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVERARD S. OROlVELL, OF ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA.

STRETCHING AND DRYING FRAME FOR SENSlTlZED PAPER;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,429, dated May 3,1887.

Application filed October 13, 1886. Serial No. 216,174. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EVERARD S. ORoWELL, av citizen of the United States,residing at Rochester, in the county of Olnisted andState of Minnesota,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stretching'andDrying Frames for Sensitized Paper; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled iuthe art towhich it appertains tomake and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in stretching-frames, and moreparticularly in LLO frames employed by photographers in stretching anddrying sensitized paper.

In the process of sensitizing paper much annoyance has been experiencedby photographers owing to the fact that the albumenized paper employedby them, after being subjected to a solution of nitrate of silver orother sensitizing solution preparatory to its receiving impressions,would shrink unequally upon drying, and so remain until it had receivedthe imprint-,when, being again thoroughly soaked in various solutions,it would again expand irregularly and remain enlarged when mounted,(this being invariably done while the paper is yet wet,) thus drawingthe likeness out of proportion,eith er longer o'r broader than would benatural, owing to the well-known fact that the sensitized paper used,having shrunk irregularly,will expand more in one direction than in theother. Heretofore inventions for avoiding this difficulty have beendevised in which a pair of frames hinged together at one side wereprovided the one with a groove around its upper face and the other witha corresponding tongue adapted to receive the paper between them whenshut, aboard of the thickness and size of the frame being placed withinone frame to holdthe paper in position,while the second frame was shutover the same in the process of stretching the paper; but much-deservedobjection has arisen drying, kept smooth, and not curled and In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of thestretching-frame with the clamping members in open adjustment. Fig. 2 isa view of the same with the clamping members closed. Fig. 3 is a bottomplan viewshowing a pair of the clamping members closed and one pairopen. Fig. 41s aside elevation of the stretching-frame, showing thefastening device in top plan view. Fig. 5 is a vertical section throughline a: .r on Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical sect-ion through line 3 y,Fig. 2.

Arepresentsa rectangular frame of any con venient size and material. Theframe is constructed of four strips of wood, preferably a little broaderthan thick, and fastened together at the ends, forming the right anglesor corners b. The inner portion, d, of the upper face, c, of the frameis made thicker than the outer portion, and a longitudinal groove ordepression, 6, is sunk therein, extending within a short distance of thecorners. Just beyond the end of the groove 6, in two of the adjacentcorners, pins or hooks fare secured. Of these further mention will behereinafter made.

The clamping members B are firmly hinged one to each side of the frameA. The clamps or clamping members B are thickest at the hinged portion9, and thence taper toa narrow tongue or projection, h, of a size andlength adapted to fit the groove 6 when in closed adjustment. 7

On each side of the frame, about midway from the corners, the devices 0are attached for fastening the parts in locked adjustment.

A secure fastening is effected in the following manner: A bracket, D, isfastened on the bottom face of each side of the frames, having a roundedor inverted-horseshoe shaped back, 1', a substantially similar shapedtop, k, integral with and perpendicular thereto, and a brace, Z,extending between the bights of the back z'and top 1:,- but the form ofthe parts described is not essential, (this form, however, being bestadapted to the purpose sought.) The top k is provided on its upper faceat one of its ends with a lug, 7;, adapted to restrict thelocking-button from turning in one direction beyond a parallel with theback face of the frame. At point m, preferably above the brace Z, adouble incline or rise is formed integral with the top In, and adaptedto act as a wedge for the locking-button while holding the frame closed.A pin-head or lug, a, is secured in the back of the clamping member,which also acts as a wedge for the but-ton when the same is turned tolock the parts in closed adjustment.

The button E is of ordinary construction. and one is pivotally securedto each side of the frame in a direct line between the lug a and therise at. Beneath the button, which may be attached by an ordinary screw,is placed a metallic washer, 0, with a rubber washer, o, beneath it, forthe purpose of holding the button firmer in place and allowing theadjust ment of the tension.

A pair of eyes or screw-eyes, p, are fastened in the side of the frame,by means of which it can be suspended upon the wall.

The operation of the parts is as follows: The frame, being open, issuspended face outward upon a couple of nails conveniently placed in ablock secured to the Wall by means of the eyes 1). The albumenized paperthen, being caught by two of its corners, is drawn from the sensitizingnitrate of silver or other solution and suspended upon the pins f. Afterclosing the upper and lower clamps, B, the buttons E on the upper andlower side of the frame, then being taken'one in either hand of theoperator, are turned simultaneously, thus closing and locking the parts.The two remaining sides of the frame are then closed in like manner.\Vhen so stretched, the paper is left in the frame until dry, afterwhich process it is proof against irregular swelling, stretching, orshrinking.

It is obvious that by changing the corners of the frame slightly theimage might conveniently be printed from the negative upon the paper andwashed and toned for mounting before being removed from the frame, thesaid frame forming a shallow tray, the paper itself being the bottomthereof. If desired, the frame may be similarly constructed on eithersidein other words, duplex in construction-so that two sheets of papermay be stretched and dried at once.

A great advantage of this frame is attained by its hanging in a Verticalposition, not only from the fact that it requires but little space andis in convenient position for operation, and is not nearly so liable tocatch dust as when lying horizontally, but also from the fact that thesensitizing solutions are evenly dried on its surface, the surplusflowing off; also, any scum which may collect in spots on the surface ofthe paper may be readily removed by applying a little absorbent cotton.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form andarrangementof the several parts described without departing from thespirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself to theparticular construction herein set forth; but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and dcsi re tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a stretching and drying frame, the combination,with the main frameand clamps hinged thereto, of pins whereon the paper is hung while beingengaged by the clamping members, and apair ot' screw-eyes attached tothe frame, upon which it is to be hung, substantially as set forth.

2. In a stretching and drying frame, the combination,with the main frameand clamping members, of a locking device consisting of a bracketrigidly secured to the frame and provided on its upper face with a lugand incline, and a button pivotally secured to the frame and adapted torest one end on the incline and the other on a lug or pin-head in theclamping member when in its locking adjustment, substantially as setforth.

3. In alocking dcvicc,the combination, with a button pivotally securedto the side of the main frame, of a bracket rigidly secured on a planeperpendicular to that of the button and provided on its upper face witha lug for limiting the turn of the button, and a doublcincline, a lugbeing placed on the back of the clamping members, upon which theopposite ends of the buttons rest in locking the parts, substantially asset forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EVERARD S. CRO'WELIJ.

Vitnesses:

R: H. Gorn, H. H. MONROE.

